Let’s get to know Jeslin, aged 14, from the Mentawai Protestant Christian Church (GKPM) in Subelen, Central Siberut. Jeslin has never attended school. Her parents are divorced and she subsequently went to live with her father in Simatalu, West Siberut. Recently, Jeslin moved to join her mother, who has remarried, in Subelen. 

When the New Bible Readers Programme (PBA) was launched by the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI), Jeslin signed up. Before that, she had never learnt the alphabet at all. After a month of learning, Jeslin began to recognise many letters. On Friday, 12 August, Jeslin met with us and, for about 45 minutes, received private tuition on how to combine letters to form words. Within those 45 minutes, Jeslin had already started to be able to spell words. First, simple words consisting of three letters, then four letters, and finally five letters. When she first met us, she just smiled shyly. Her voice was also so soft, it was almost inaudible. Once she was able to read words, Jeslin began to gain confidence. Her smile blossomed beautifully. If she practises diligently, as she promised us, Jeslin will certainly be able to read fluently. 

Jeslin’s story has been a great source of encouragement for the LAI PBA Team in Siberut, the Mentawai Islands. Our hard work has borne fruit, and this has been possible thanks to the field coordinators who visit regularly, the tutors who faithfully teach and support the learners, and, of course, Jeslin herself, who is so keen to learn.

Neila Mamahit

PBA Programme Manager